Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn made Sylvan Esso’s debut in Durham, drawing on their backgrounds in Mountain Man and Megafaun to build pop songs from electronic beats, spare synth parts, and Meath’s sharply shaped vocals. “Coffee,” “Hey Mami,” “Play It Right,” and “H.S.K.T.” still have an unusual pull. They’re catchy without sanding off the odd edges, with small, precise arrangements that leave plenty of room around the voice. Some tracks push toward the dance floor, while others feel more exposed and inward.
This 2024 edition comes from the duo’s own Psychic Hotline label, marking ten years since the original release. The first disc keeps the album intact, then the extra material opens it up through remixes by Rick Wade, Dntel, Helado Negro, Charles Spearin, Hercules And Love Affair, and J Rocc. “Jaime’s Song” and “The Cosmos,” a cover of Porches, add two more pieces, with “The Cosmos” first broadcast on Sirius XM Radio. BJ Burton handled mastering and additional mixing, and the album was recorded at Posi-Vibes House. It’s a good pick for anyone after pop with a little friction in it, especially if you like hearing a familiar song pulled apart and rebuilt. Paid downloads include FLAC 16/44, alongside MP3, ALAC, WAV, and AIFF.
